A Natural Model of Active Transpressional Tectonics the en Échelon Structures of the Oriente Deep, Along the Northern Caribbean Transcurrent Plate Boundary (Southern Cuban Margin)

Abstract

A seabearn and seismic reflection structural study of the Oriente Deep, located along the northern Caribbean transcurrent plate boundary, allows us to image in three dimensions active transpressional structures (cruise SEA-CARIB II, R/V Jean Charcot). These structures are folds and reverse faults. The folds display an en echelon arrangement and are set within three E-W trending alignments. The folds appear with an axis trending 30° to 40° to the shear direction. Their axes have undergone a rotation which gives them in plan a sigmoidal Zshape. The reverse faults formed after the folds and are located at the bases of the anticlines. The folding occurs outside the main strike-slip fault, above inactive burried faults affecting the basement of the Oriente Deep. The Oriente Deep is a exceptional natural model for the study of active transpressional deformation along a major strike-slip fault.